Rosario + Vampire: Yokai Legacy

37. Paradox

The ancient castle stood in silent witness to the reunion of Kenji, Moka, and Kurumu. The weight of the years apart seemed to evaporate as their bond rekindled, fueled by the hope of finding a solution to their predicament. However, amidst the excitement, a name had emerged from the shadows – Akira.

Kenji's heart raced as Moka mentioned the name, his mind racing to the memories of a man who had once been a dangerous adversary. "Akira?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic. "Are you crazy, Moka? That dude tried to kill me in my time, and I bet that hasn't changed now."

Moka's gaze held a calm reassurance as she looked at Kenji. She placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Kenji, I understand your concerns. But things have changed in the 30 years you were gone. Akira is not the same as he once was."

Kenji's eyes widened in surprise, his panic subsiding slightly. "What do you mean?"

Moka's voice held a touch of sadness as she continued. "In your absence, Akira's power began to wane. Without you, his strength diminished over time. He's become much weaker than he used to be."

Kurumu chimed in with a reassuring smile. "Yeah, Kenji. And honestly, you might be able to take him on now."

Kenji's mind raced as he processed the information. The once formidable foe had become vulnerable, his power reduced by the absence of the one person who had been a thorn in his side. The notion of facing Akira again stirred a mixture of emotions within Kenji – fear, anger, but also a flicker of hope.

Kenji's thoughts swirled as he absorbed the reality of the situation. Akira, once a formidable adversary, had been weakened by time itself. The prospect of facing him again was daunting, but the knowledge that Akira's power had diminished gave Kenji a spark of hope. He looked at Moka, his gaze focused and determined.

"Do you even know where Akira is?" Kenji asked, his voice steady but filled with curiosity.

Moka nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, I do. Akira's lair is actually north of this castle."

Kenji's eyebrows raised in surprise. "North of this castle? That's not far."

Moka's voice held a touch of gravity as she continued. "Yes, and what's even more surprising is that his lair has always been here, even in your past time."

Kenji's eyes widened as he processed Moka's words. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. If Akira had been staying in that lair all along, then that knowledge could be a powerful advantage, not just in this time but also in his own past time.

A slow smile spread across Kenji's face as he looked at Moka and Kurumu. "You know what this means? If I can gather information about that lair now, when I return to my own time, I might be able to use it to our advantage. I could ambush Akira when he least expects it."

Moka's eyes gleamed with understanding, her own smile matching Kenji's. "Exactly. We can turn his own advantage against him."

Kurumu's laughter rang out, a mix of amusement and determination. "Talk about a paradox, using his future against him in your past."

Kenji's confidence grew as he realized the strategic possibilities. "It's a risk, but it might be a risk worth taking."

Kenji, Moka, and Kurumu's determination remained steadfast as they left the ancient castle behind and set their sights on the journey northward, towards Akira's lair. The realization that they could turn Akira's own advantage against him had ignited a spark of hope within them. With every step they took, their bond grew stronger, fueled by their shared purpose.

Their path led them through a dense forest, the snow-covered trees creating an almost magical atmosphere. As they walked, the quiet crunch of snow underfoot was the only sound that broke the silence. Kenji's curiosity got the best of him, and he turned to Moka.